John Gorton Kirman

KIRMAN, John Gorton Oct. 21, 1929 - Nov. 16, 2008 On Sunday, November 16, 2008, eight months and one week after his beloved wife, Sally Bender Kirman, passed away, John left this world to join her. John was born on October 21, 1929 to Jeannette and G. Paul Kirman. He graduated from Marshall High School in 1948 and went to the University of Arizona to run track and study Business Administration. He joined the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He enlisted in the Coast Guard during the Korean War and served from 1952 to 1956 as a Sonar Man II stationed in Ketchikan, Alaska, on the cutter, Chatauqua. After returning to civilian life, he went to work for the family business, Kirman Plumbing Company, and completed his degree in 1958. He met Sally when he went to a job site, a business owned by her family, Bender Machine, and they were married June 21, 1958. They moved to Pasadena where they raised their five children. John devoted his talent and knowledge of the plumbing industry to make Kirman Plumbing, a family run business since 1908, one of the leading commercial and industrial service companies in Southern California. Besides Pasadena, they considered Avalon on Santa Catalina Island their home, spending as much time as possible at "La Casa Gaviota". When they weren't out fishing on their boat, "Plunger", waiting for the next "big one" to land on the hook, they loved to travel the world. After an accident that left Sally impaired, John carried on, remodeling the homes so Sally could be comfortable, and ensured the family continued to gather regularly to celebrate birthdays and holidays. John was preceded in death by his oldest son, Paul, and is survived by son, Daniel (Nina) Kirman of Duarte; daughters, Lynn Kirman of La Crescenta, Kathleen (Bob) Elliot of Glendale, and Carol (Dave) Martin of Huntington Beach; six grandchildren, John Cameron, Kristen and Deanne Elliot, Annika Kirman, and Casey and Dustin Martin; and John's Angel and Caregiver, Hylana Williams, to whom the family is eternally grateful. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Glendale Adventist Medical Center Health Care Foundation. Family and friends will gather at the family home in Pasadena on Saturday, December 13th, to celebrate his life.